Civil Defense in Gaza: 25 deaths, including 6 children, due to the cold

Palestinian Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal confirmed the deaths of 25 Palestinians, including six children, due to the effects of the storms and cold weather.

In media statements on Tuesday, Bassal indicated that since the storms began impacting the Gaza Strip, 18 residential buildings have completely collapsed, resulting in significant human and material losses.

More than 110 residential buildings have also suffered serious partial collapses, posing a direct threat to the lives of thousands of residents living in or near them.

He added, “More than 90% of the tents of displaced people were blown away and flooded due to the strong winds and heavy rains, reflecting the scale of the ongoing humanitarian disaster.”

He confirmed that the tents of Palestinian citizens in various areas of the Gaza Strip were damaged and flooded, leaving thousands of families without temporary shelter and causing damage to clothing, mattresses, and blankets, exacerbating an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

He continued: “Our teams have received more than 700 calls for help and distress calls since the start of this weather system, ranging from rescuing people trapped by floodwaters to dealing with landslides and extensive damage.”

He explained: “The effects of these weather systems have resulted in the deaths of 25 citizens, including six children who died from the extreme cold, while the others died due to building collapses and falls into wells and rainwater collection ponds.”

He reiterated the Civil Defense’s urgent appeal to the world and the international community to take immediate and serious action to provide relief to citizens and meet urgent humanitarian needs before the disaster worsens.